FAQS

Do you offer video-conference treatments or therapy over the phone?

Yes! The OCD & Anxiety Center of Cleveland does provide treatment via secure video-conference or phone only. There are no in-person sessions available. Video or phone therapy is very useful for those who live far from the center, or for those who need to complete exposures out of the office environment. Due to licensing laws, clients must be residents of Ohio to participate.

What age range of clients do you see?

Children (ages 4+), adolescents, and adults. 

What kinds of issues do you help people with?

The OCD & Anxiety Center of Cleveland was founded for the purpose of providing evidence-based treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders across the lifespan. Anxiety disorders treated include: Panic Disorder, Specific Phobias, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) & Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Disorder.

I've already seen other therapists.  Will this be any different?

Almost every client we see has seen a therapist before finding us. Many of these individuals worked with a therapist who did not utilize exposure therapy. As such, they are typically surprised by how different our work may look when compared to their past therapy experiences.

If you or your child has not tried exposure therapy for OCD or anxiety, our work will be quite different from prior therapy experiences. Exposure therapy focuses on gradually facing anxiety-provoking situations in a safe environment so that clients learn can increase their comfort level and reduce their fear.

How much does each session cost?

The OCD & Anxiety Center of Cleveland offers rates that are competitive for the areas we serve. Please give us a call at (216) 393-7749 to discuss fees.  

Do you take insurance?

We are not in-network with any insurance providers.  We can provide the necessary documentation to send to your insurance provider in order to seek reimbursement.

What is the difference between Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Exposure with Response Prevention?

Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) is a special form of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Despite the name, CBT is actually not actually a single therapy but describes a group of therapies. CBT refers collectively to both Cognitive Therapies (CT) and Behavioral Therapies (BT). CT and BT are often combined into the term CBT because both therapies share many overlapping features such as being solution-focused, short-term and based on scientific research. Also, many therapists will use techniques from both BT and CT when trying to help clients.

Sadly, there are many different terms that tend to mean similar (but not identical) things and it can get quite confusing for clients. As such, please see our blog post that discusses the above concepts in greater detail.

What does it mean for CBT or ERP to be "empirically supported," and why does that matter?

That CBT or ERP is empirically supported means it has been shown to be effective in Randomized Control Trials (RCTs). These are the same standards that pharmaceutical companies must meet to show that their drugs are providing true benefits. These trials involve several scientific controls to ensure that any changes that occur are likely to be due to true treatment effects. This is in contrast to other kinds of studies in which perceived benefit might actually be due to a person’s belief that a treatment will work, positive attention from a researcher, or merely the passage of time.

The strong empirical support for CBT, ERP, and exposure therapies ensures that the techniques being used in therapy have worked for other people with similar issues. While this is never a guarantee that they will work for every individual, it is reasonable to assume that they can help.  To better illustrate the need for empirical support and the problems with utilizing untested psychotherapies, please see the New York Times article from 2013 on this very issue, as well as our full discussion of this issue on our blog.

What should I expect from therapy?

ERP and exposure therapies are based on modifying current behavioral patterns in order to improve your life. You should expect that during the first few sessions, we'll focus on a thorough understanding of your presenting problems. Once we agree on our formulation of the problem, we'll discuss a treatment plan. From there, we'll begin treatment - which will include regular practice of exposure techniques between sessions. Such tasks may include gradually approaching anxiety-provoking situations and/or resisting urges to engage in compulsive behaviors. Once goals have been met, the final phase of treatment focuses on ensuring that your success will continue after therapy ends. 

How long does therapy take?

This is one of the most common questions we're asked, and unfortunately, the answer isn't quite precise. We do have significant scientific evidence to show that major changes can occur within 12-24 sessions. The total duration of treatment depends heavily on both the number of presenting problems and the client's ability to complete work out of the therapy session. A highly motivated individual with one clearly defined issue may easily meet their goals in 12 sessions (or less). A less motivated individual with 3-4 presenting problems would likely exceed the 24 sessions time frame.

Have more questions?  Contact us.